Teachers’ Union encourages Westmorland voters to meet candidates

Alexis Ascencio and John Cisneros from Westmorland register to vote at the Westmorland Teachers Association Endorsement Committee’s Meet and Greet with Layla Cordic, 9, looking on.

WESTMORLAND – On a fair, cool morning, the Westmorland Teachers’ Association Endorsement Committee invited the community out October 3rd,, not only to enjoy the weather and food, but to provide an opportunity to meet a few local candidates running in next month’s election, on November 3rd.

Silvia Calatyud, Jessie Negrette, and Rosa Barrera organized a bounce house for kids, a table for non-registered voters to register, and a performance by members of Westmorland’s After School Program doing Zumbato, all to encourage voters to come to the Westmorland park.

“They are (Westmorland School Board) the final say on everything”, said Negrette, explaining the importance of putting the right people into office.

The committee explained the importance of the school board’s role in Westmorland, and their say on spending the school’s finances, making budgets, choosing curriculum, and the hiring and firing of employees as some of the important decisions the board makes.

“We’re trying to help anyway we can,” said Jose Luis Barrerra, who volunteered at the event.

Present at the event were candidates Chris Barajas, incumbent Ron Davis, Xavier Mendez all running for the Westmorland School Board; Rusty Garcia and Patti Hess Wilson, running for the Brawley Union High School Board of Trustees; and Lisa Solomon running for the County Board of Education Governing Board Member Area 4.

“What started this committee was the fact that we felt the people on the board should be enthusiastic about the school, they should be open to communication, and not intimidated by teachers asking questions,” said Calatyud, expressing her reasons for creating the Westmorland Teachers Association Endorsement Committee.

After conducting interviews of all the candidates the committee announced they would be endorsing Chris Barajas, incumbent Ron Davis, and Xavier Mendez for the Westmorland School Board.

Thomas Marquez, Raul Ramirez, and Jackie Loper are also running for a seat on the Westmorland School Board, but were not invited to the debate.

The teacher’s union wants to reopen negotiations for a ten percent increase in pay.

If you have any questions concerning the Westmorland Teachers’ Association and or the people they are endorsing for the Westmorland School Board, contact Silvia Calatyud at mrscalatyud@gmail.com.